Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix S 15.) $2,301, 250.00 500,000.00 16. Removal of sunken vessels or craft obstructing or endangering navigation.-At the close of the fiscal year a contract was made for the removal of the wreck of a steam-boat from Bayou Teche, near Charenton, which was accomplished and the wreck towed entire to New Iberia, and advertised for sale at public auction. (See Appendix S 16.) EXAMINATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT OF AUGUST 5, 1886. The required preliminary examinations of the following localities were made by the local engineer in charge, Major Hener, and reported by him as not worthy of improvement: 1. Bayou Rouge, Louisiana.-(See Appendix S 17.) 2. Bayou Terrebonne, Louisiana, from Houma to Thibodeaux.—(See Appendix S 18.) 3. Bayou Vermillion, Louisiana, to secure navigation from Abbeville to the railroad bridge of the Louisiana and Texas Railroad.-(See Appendix S 19.) 4. Mouth of Calcasieu River and of Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana.-The amount of commerce appears out of proportion to the cost of improvement.--(See Appendix S 20.) And it appearing, after preliminary examination, that the localities were worthy of improvement, he was charged with the survey of the following: 1. Mouth of Bayou Plaquemine, with a view to its connection with the Mississippi River by locks; also Bayou Plaquemine and other connecting streams to form the best route to Grand Lake, Louisiana.—A report upon the results of this survey was transmitted to the Senate March 1, 1887, and printed as Senate Ex. Doc. No. 21, Forty-ninth Congress, second session. (See also Appendix S 21.) 2. Bogue Falia, from present landing to Covington, Louisiana.-Provis ion having also been been made in the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, for the improvement of this locality, for details of operations thereon see Appendix S 1. 3. Bayou Teche, from Saint Martinsville to Fort Barre, Louisiana.-Examination and survey unnecessary. For project for improvement with estimates see Appendix R 5 of Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885. 4. Bayou La Fourche, with a view to constructing a lock and dam, Louisiana.-Examination and survey unnecessary. For project for improvement with estimates see Appendix R 10, Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1886. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. Officer in charge, Maj. S. M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, to November 22, 1886, and since then Maj. O. H. Ernst, Corps of Engineers, having under his immediate orders since April 4, 1887, First Lieut. George A. Zinn, Corps of Engineers. 1. Entrance to Galveston Harbor, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1874, modified in 1880, and again modified in 1886, the object being to deepen the channel so as to admit sea-going vessels of the deepest draught. The natural depth upon the outer bar was about 12 feet at mean low tide, and upon the inner bar about 13 feet. The amount expended during the year was $3,879.82. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, including $100,000 subscribed by the city of Galveston, is $1,581,782.84. It has resulted in deepening the channel over the outer bar to about 122 feet, and that over the inner bar to about 20 feet. It is proposed dur ing the coming year to complete the south jetty now under construction to the crest of the bar, and to build a north jetty to the same distance. The amount required for the entire completion of the project is $6,700,000. July 1, 1886, amount available. Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886..... July 1, 1887, amount available..... (Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project... Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 1.) $96.98 300,000.00 300,096.98 3,879.82 296, 217. 16 6,700,000 1,000,000 2. Ship Channel in Galveston Bay, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1871 and modified in 1877, the object being to excavate and maintain a channel 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide at bottom through Galveston Bay from Bolivar Channel to Morgan's Gut, a distance of about 183 miles. The average natural depth of the bay was about 8 feet, with a depth in some places of about 7 feet. The amount expended during the year was $5,293.68. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $291,923.18. The greater portion of the work has been obliterated by natural causes. The officer in charge considers the work impracticable unless it be carried on with means sufficient to continue it through to completion rapidly and to subsequently maintain it. The estimate, $317,000, submitted for carrying on the work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, is the amount required to complete the original excavation and to maintain it one year. The work is not capable of permanent completion. It is estimated that an annual expenditure of about $100,000 will be required to maintain it. July 1, 1886, amount available. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886.... July 1, 1887, amount available ..... $159, 870.50 5,293, 68 154, 576.82 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1829 317,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 or river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 2.) 3. Trinity River, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this stream was adopted in 1873, the object being to afford a navigable channel 5 feet deep through the bar at the mouth and up to Liberty, a distance of 41 miles. The natural channel through the bar at the mouth was narrow and had a depth of but 4 feet. A bar about 4 miles below Liberty and numerous snags obstructed navigation. The amount expended during the year was $311.65. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $34,500. It has resulted in facilitating the entrance to the river, though the depth over the bar has not been increased. The interior navigation was temporarily relieved by the removal of snags and of the bar near Liberty. It is proposed during the year ending June 30, 1889, to repair and extend the revetments at the mouth of the river and to deepen the channel there to 5 feet by dredging. The sum required for this purpose is estimated at $25,000. This will complete the project so far as it is necessary at this time. There are numerous snags in the river between Liberty and Moss Bluff, 21 miles below, but as this part of the stream is rarely used, and as a new supply of these obstructions may be expected annually, it is proposed to defer further work here indefinitely. July 1, 1886, amount available.. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886..... $311.65 311.65 25,000.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project (See Appendix T 3.) 4. Buffalo Bayou, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this stream was adopted in 1880, the object being to straighten, widen, and deepen the channel to a depth of 12 feet and a width of 100 feet at bottom, between the city of Houston and Simm's Bayou, 11 miles below, and to remove such snags, stumps, and overhanging trees as were obstructions to navigation. The natural depth was in many places not more than 6 feet and the channel was narrow and tortuous. The amount expended during the year was $1,109.78. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $100,676.03. It has resulted in clearing the channel of the most prominent snags, stumps, and overhanging trees, in easing some of the bends, and in removing most of the shoals which obstructed a 7-foot navigation. These obstructions are renewed in greater or less degree each year. The amount required for the completion of the original excavation is estimated at $267,000, subject to revision. The project is not capable of permanent completion. The officer in charge invites attention to the rights which the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company have acquired in connection with the navigation of this stream, which rights are opposed to its free use as a navigable water-way of the United States. July 1, 1886, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886.. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 .... July 1, 1887, amount available...... $433.75 18,750.00 19, 183.75 1, 109.78 18,073.97 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889 50,000,00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 4.) 5. Mouth of Brazos River, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1880, its object being to secure and maintain a good navigable chaunel over the bar. In its natural state the channel was shifting and its depth varied from 24 feet to 8 feet. The amount expended during the year was $1,002.47. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $140,833.94. It has not as yet resulted in any useful effect upon the bar. The amount required to complete the project, subject to revision, is $364,000. The advisability of a further prosecution of this improvement in accordance with the existing project will be made the subject of a special report to Congress at its next session; for that reason the amount that might be expended for continuing the present improvement for the next fiscal year is omitted from the following money statement. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 ... July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886...... July 1, 1887, amount available.... $168.53 18,750.00 18,918.53 1,002. 47 17,916.06 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project....... 364,000.00 Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 5.) 6. Pass Cavallo, inlet to Matagorda Bay, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1879, the object being to obtain a navigable channel 12 feet deep over the bar. In its natural state the channel was shifting and varied in depth from 7 to 9 feet. The amount expended during the year was $2,130.04. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $290,095.16, including outstanding liabilities. It has not as yet resulted in any important effect upon the bar. The amount required to complete the project, subject to revision, is $1,366,780. July 1, 1886, amount available..... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886 $2,034.88 37,500.00 39,534.88 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities.. $1, 138.78 2, 130. 04 July 1, 1887, amount available........... 37, 404.84 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project...... 1,366, 780.00 Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889..... Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 6.) 100, 000, 00 7. Aransas Pass and Bay up to Rockport and Corpus Christi, Texas.The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1879 and modified in 1887, the object being to fix the position of the pass and to provide a navigable channel at least 20 feet deep through the bar. In its natural state the pass was moving bodily at the rate of about 260 feet per year, and the channel depth over the bar varied from 7 feet to 9 feet. The amount expended during the year was $6,617.92 including outstanding liabilities. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, including $9,938.93 subscribed by citizens of Rockport and Corpus Christi, is $393,556.95. It has resulted in partially checking the south westward movement of the pass. The amount required for the entire completion of the project is $1,571,293.72. July 1, 1886, amount available Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886. $2,999.90 101,250.00 104, 249.90 July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive $6,488.92 6,617.92 July 1, 1887, amount available ... Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project.. Amount that can be profitably expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. Submitted in compliance with requirements of sections 2 of river and harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 7.) 97, 631.98 1,571, 293. 72 200,000.00 8. Harbor at Brazos Santiago, Texas.-The present project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1881, the object being to fix the position of the channel over the bar at the entrance and to deepen it. In its natural state the channel was shifting, and its depth varied from 6 feet to 8 feet. The amount expended during the year was $540.45. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $185,204.17, including outstanding liabilities. It has not as yet resulted in any useful effect upon the bar. The sum estimated for continuing the work during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $100,000, is to be applied to the construction of jetties after a revision of the project. The amount required to complete the project cannot be estimated before the results of an examination now being made are known. July 1, 1886, amount available...... Amount appropriated by act approved August 5, 1886. July 1, 1887, amount expended during fiscal year, exclusive of liabilities outstanding July 1, 1886 July 1, 1887, outstanding liabilities.. July 1, 1887, amount available $336.28 37,500.00 37,836.28 $265.96 540.45 37, 295.83 455,500.00 Amount (estimated) required for completion of existing project. harbor acts of 1866 and 1867. (See Appendix T 8.) 9. Protection of river-bank at Fort Brown, Texas.-The project for the improvement of this locality was adopted in 1880, and abandoned in 1881. The amount expended during the year was $3.54. The total amount expended to June 30, 1887, is $17,000, and is without result. The work having been abandoned, no further reports upon it will be rendered. July 1, 1886, amount available. (See Appendix T 9.) $1,003. 54 1,000.00 |